Global - A field of fifteen large steel orchestras will show off their musical talents before audiences and judges alike at the 2014 Trinidad & Tobago Panorama Semi-finals this weekend at the Queen’s Park Savannah in Port-of-Spain. Earlier in the week (Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday) two judges visited the bands’ respective pan yards and delivered comments on band performances, while Pan Trinbago officials conducted headcounts.
Regionally, three orchestras hail from the East, seven represent the North, while four come from South/Central and one—Redemption Sound Setters—from the sister isle of Tobago. The latter will close off the semi-final round, with 2013 champs Phase II Pan Groove playing in the penultimate position. Invaders Steel Orchestra are first-up, playing “Jam It.”
This year’s semi finals find two less bands in the large steel orchestra category, with Siparia Deltones and Humming Birds Pan Groove both reverting to the small arena for 2014. At the February 16 steel showcase which is scheduled to begin at 12:00 noon, the large bands will be preceded by fourteen medium bands, also competing for finals placement in their grouping.